How To Hip Shoot For Street Photography With Alan Schaller 

If Austin Powers was a street photographer

in 2 videos, Alan has become my favourite Street Photographer on youtube

Best camera channel. No generic lo-fi hip hop, no hyper edits, no beards, beanies, or tattoos…. Just great tips on getting great photos from a pro. AMEN!

the humour is just fantastic, and how informative you are when explaining is just impeccable! man you deserve ASAP that 100k plaque from YT!!

The number one thing we needed was for Alan to begin video content. These are fantastic! Probably the only thing I want to watch now. No need for tutorials, camera accessory reviews. Just good wholesome cowboy creativity. Get out there and shoot!

By far the best photography channel out there, the details, quick to the point, well put together and easy to learn, really helped take my photography to the next level. Big fan of your work, glad you have decided to do this channel to help others!

These videos are great. It really shows the fun side of Alan you'll never find in RU-vid before this channel existed. Before, you'll only see the "serious" Alan. The strict and wise professor kind of thing. But in these videos, he's able to share his wisdom while being goofy and, I presume, just being himself.

I don’t think I ever watch a vid that is this informative AND fun at the same time ever !!! I can’t thank you enough for taking this to the next level ! 🙏

For me, the hard part of shooting from the hip is not the focusing (I use zone focusing a lot anyway), it's usually the composition that is messed up. Heads are chopped off and all that. Well, the only thing that really helps is practicing, I suppose... Great video as always!

Two features I love when doing street photography are a tilty screen. I like to shoot from a low angle sometimes without bending down. I’m 71 and find getting down is easier than getting up. The other feature I love is a touchscreen. Alan zone focuses. I auto focus. He has books published and a RU-vid channel. I don’t. Consider that. I set my touchscreen to autofocus and then shoot. It helps not having to touch the shutter button. Thank you Alan for your lessons. A big fan. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

No doubt the classic Leica lenses Alan referred to are excellent. Myself, I have a more affordable Ricoh GR iii which has the Full Press Snap feature. FPS allows you to set a distance (e.g., 1.5 meters) then by shooting in aperture priority, you can be sure of a certain focal length being in focus. You give the shutter a "full press" all the way down, not half way, and the capture happens instantly, with the focal length according to the distance you set for FPS. It's convenient and reliable, and would work very well with shooting from the hip! Thanks Alan, I'm enjoying your RU-vid series.

As a regular hip shooter with an M10M I found this very entertaining, impressive and informative.Your hit rate at 1.4 is awesome.

Man, I’m so happy you created a RU-vid channel. Admired your work for years. I just hope you take the time to engage with the community your building here as I know how meaningful it would be to all your early subscribers and fans.

Great, as always! Worth pointing out that this can easily be achieved with modern lenses on different camera systems (even without the markings on the lenses). For example, on my Fuji XT-5, you can view the focus zone on the digital display at the bottom of the screen. The skill, as you expertly demonstrated, is in judging the actual distance between your lens and the subject.

Loved this. I went out today with my M10R and my 24mm lux set at f2, 1/125 or 1/250s, 1.5m and manual ISO or auto ISO depending on light conditions. I only did hip-type shots. Firstly I learned that the hip was probably too low for me. The compositions were a bit off using the silver lens rim guide. I’m 1.90m so started shooting about lower chest height. Better. Hit rate on focus wasn’t great - maybe 25% so I need a lot of practice but the static shots were a lot more successful than when I was walking. The hit rate there was probably 75%. Maybe a higher shutter speed needed too. I think this illustrates how skilled people are who can zone focus consistently well. Anyway a great fun morning and I’m sure I’ll get better over time. Thanks for a great video.

I love it. Talent + Humor. How refreshing it is. Well done. Extremely well done. Thank you.

Photography basics strictly and consistently applied + practice and training, you make it look so simple. Very encouraging for sure. Then I love the tone and contrast of your photos, makes everything and everyone look truly special. Amazing work, excellent. Thank you so much for sharing all this!

The tip on seeing the screw or flange is great! Thanks. Cant wait to try it on my M7.

I never ever ever thought you would be this funny. And colorful.

Love this, been following your street photography for a long while and can’t believe I only just discovered you had a RU-vid channel!

how beautiful are these videos Alan!! Thank you for putting these out and I wish I could watch one everyday 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I've been using zone for years on the street and just love it.. Thanks Alan...

I'm thoroughly enjoying these videos - I hope you are able to keep them going. Entertaining, informative, and with a good splash of irreverence. Inspirational for sure.

1.4 is impressive even on a 24mm lens. I will try f2 on my 28 with a focus distance of 2m and see how it goes.

I‘m one of those new followers really enjoying your content. The German word for it is „Leichtigkeit“. Love it so thank you for sharing ❤

I'll give my cheat code. I cradle mine. I'm a right-hand shooter, so it goes something like this: I cross my arms where my right hand with camera is nestled on my left arm near my elbow. This also helps with stability and aiming. It looks more like I am pausing from shooting when in fact I am very likely composing, aiming, and shooting. On those rare occasions someone asks if I'm taking their picture, I can honestly say "um, I can't even see my viewfinder to see you". Half truth but it eases most. The one advantage of digital (yes, I'm in *that* camp) is shooting in silent mode which is finally silent with the latest models. Can't always use that mode of course, but if not, the cradling does mitigate some of the shutter noise. And practice is essential for higher rates of keepers.

Loved this. Well done. The silver ring trick😊

Thanks for this. The humor is what sets you apart from the rest here. Not to mention the photography of course. It's so obvious you are still a musician at heart. That humor is 100% musician if you ask me. Any musician can tell :) Cheers

The fact you were on the verge of giggling through the whole intro cracked me up real good

Alan these videos of yours are the best photography videos I have ever seen. There is a lot of practical information based on real photography and not hypothetical situations. I love it. It is not easy to plan and realize these videos, so thank you very much for your efforts. And thank god for british humor!

Dear Alan, a big, big massive „THANKS!“ for your videos! You‘re a rare species of youtubers: you actually TEACH. I really appreciate that. And, of course, your videos are FUN. Thank you. What you are doing, is really cool.

I like how you don't take this all to seriously. Thanks for posting.

You can use back button focus with a auto focus lens as it locks the focus on whatever object distance you set your focus too. Then just use the same techniques you talk about in your video. One down side is you don’t know the depth of field but an app like photo pills can get you that information really quick.

I'm 1:11 inand this is the stupidest thing ever! I absolutely LOVE IT! I am inspired and subscribing. Thanks so much for being so ridiculously corny in your impressive creativity. you made my day. Best dad jokes personified ever!

Delighted you have started a RU-vid channel Alan, breath of fresh air, great content

Very stylish video! Thank you Alan!

Dude your videos are amazing. They are so helpful. With your help I will become a better all around photographer. Please keep doing what you are doing!

so refreshingly made and edited. nice work Alan

2:35 Yet dresses for this shoot like a hippy. But Alan is simply great to watch and listen too. Enjoy your work!

Yippee Kai Aye! LOL. These are the most fun photography vids on YT!

My favorite photographer doing videos on how he does it… couldn’t ask for more

Your videos are such a breath of fresh air Alan, enjoyable to watch and very informative. I've been primarily a macro photographer for the last few years but have been attracted to street photography for a while now. I went to Whitstable oyster festival last Saturday, some interesting subjects to photgraph, had my Sony nex c3 with a fujian 35mm cctv lens, I have to have it on f16 to have everything in focus, I was practicing hip shooting, some shots were sharp, some were soft, I definitely need to work on my technique and your tip about looking at the mount to tell if you are straight is something I will put in to practice. Keep up the good work, looking forward to your next video 😁

I truly appreciate this channel both for the content and the positive energy that Alan Schaller is able to bring. It would be fantastic as londoner and beginner phographer is to see him around while I'm shoting myself in central London.

Something I will practise. It will fit in with my panning technique.

I found my new fav photo channel and tutorials from a true master. Bravo!

i am Alberto, the guy you met in south ken, rosary garden, two days ago! love your job!

Loved it as usual! Teaching with humour; what can be better! Thanks Alan!!

Thanks for the tips, practice...practice...practice

I bought a 28mm f2.8 Asahi Pentax M for £59 and I use it in the street a lot. Thanks for the tip on keeping the camera level.

Second time i watch it 🎉 this is the most excellent video on hip shooting, and the funniest as well, all the important information plus the Alan’s touch of Humor ;) Thanks a lot `

Absolute golden content on your channel Alan.......thank you so much for this nugget.

I"ve never laughed so hard during a photography video. Your Texas accent was excellent (I live in New Mexico), and, surprise surprise, I learned a lot too.

Thanks for practical tips of using Leica M lens and camera for street photography!

Anyone can do it at f5.6+ but Hip shooting at f1.4 takes some proper skill to nail the focus. Bravo young man.

This was the most entertaining yet educational video I've seen in I don't know how long. I love this style. Please, keep them coming. (There are already 325 comments. Chances are very good that several other people have already said this exact same thing. But whatever. Boomshanka!)

I used to shoot from the hip a lot but always struggled with zone focusing on my Fuji cameras until I got an old manual focus lens - eventually I switched to the Ricoh GR cameras for their Snap Focus setting. Great vid btw.

Great fun and very inspirational . Thanks

Getting some old Digital Rev TV vibes. Here for it!

Ohh the presentation skills of your Sir!

Dear Alan, congrats on your amazing channel. Learning in a fascinating way. Being a sports photographer I am way out of this gender. The way you put it I became very interested in several aspects including a common denominator in the use of light. Looking forward to browse and looking for new content. Cheers

I did not expect you to have such a great sense of humour. its got me hooked. love it.

The best video about zone focusing have ever seen so far! Thank you Alan for sharing your knowledge🙏

Awesome video and technical photography

Best photographer and an even better teacher.

Just love this guy.... he is so "on it" and everything is just so simple when he explains it... dont you think??? Yes Mr Schaller.... your job is done.... collect your £200 and pass GO..... Best... Yoki..

You deserve your own TV program. Very funny and informative content.

How I wish you'd the channel setup few years back and I can binge watch all the videos now :) . Great work.

The joy is real!!! Thanks Alan, unique and brilliant!!

Great advice Alan and enjoy the book signing tomorrow!! Hope I can have my copy signed by you, in The Netherlands someday!

the fact that you ran into that guy who was on your route it's simply mind-blowing ! thank you for inspiring me to open a brand new Instagram account strictly for high contrast black and white street photography ☺️🙏

Jesus, you're so sweet! The story with the bottle is incredibly charming. Thanks, really didn't have a good day, I feel better now!

Amazing to see you demonstrate nailing focus at f1.4 in real time! I need to practice in my kitchen to memorize what 1.2m / 4ft looks like.

Absolutely brilliant, great advice Alan. Learning to estimate distance and and perfecting timing make for much better images. I learnt in the 80’s with a little Rollei 35 LED. There was no other way to get anything sharp other than using the scale on the lens. I can still judge 4 ft with confidence. Auto focus Hocus Pocus, who needs it? I don’t.

I love you Alan your attitude and humour is inspiring. Totally agree on your approach of a photograph is doing nobody any harm and I stand by that thought process myself ❤

The BEST intro to a video I've watched since....well, ever I believe. Always a treat to watch your videos, Alan.

Brilliant stuff! Would love to find some lenses such as those you reference with each of the info/scales you detail early in the video. Suggestions on finding the 24 1.4 you mention or perhaps a similar 50mm?

Alan a nice refreshing view on street photography ... i think many people don't get using such 'analogue' gear .. when "i have my phone to take pics" ... its not about that .. but i have control to take a bad pic ... but i took it ! ... keep up with the vids

Thank you for this inspirational video!

Pleased to have found this channel, I've been using a Ricoh GR3 for the last 4 years, lovely camera, and just bought a Leica Q3. After watching this video today I used manual focus for the first time and got some great results. Thank you, keep posting.

I shoot from the hip when walking down the street or when I don't want the subject to notice I'm snapping a pic of them. I never thought of practicing at home. I have done manual focus sometimes. I set focus ahead of time with an aperture of 5.6 to 8. Thanks for the video. I look forward to your next one.

Greatest photography channel on RU-vid.

Love your light hearted comedic approach

You’re freaking hilarious, love it! Every 6 months or so I come across a really decent RU-vid channel, I’ve just found one! (You)😂 keep it up, think you could be huge on here.

I get some good austin powers vibes, love you Mr Schaler !!

Hello Alan , I've followed you on Instagram for a while now , but only just found your videos on RU-vid . Your images are always absolutely stunning and these videos are brilliant . I have subscribed :)

Informative and entertaining - a great combination! Thanks Alan

first time seeing you and i’m hooked. I also love to hip shoot 😂

Thank you Alan. You’re the Clint Eastwood of the streets!

"You're an analog man in a digital world!" 😂 This intro part of the video was awesome ;)

Your Work is absolutely fantastic and inspiring. Please keep doing those Videos! Tomorrow i go out an try manual Hip Shoot 🙂

Thank you so much Alan for giving us all this great advices.you’r a great photographer and a very good teacher too, clear and simple with a finest sens of humour. Thanks again ! (Sorry for my english)

Great point re cctv. I’ll be using that one

Just bought an old manual art lens and this was a good shot in the arm to go out and really practice with it! Thanks Alan!!

Excellent video, informative, but more importantly, entertaining. Please keep the humour levels up.

Absolutely love the video, no doubt my master of street photography. I find hip shooting an amazing idea. Thank you, also for a great sense of humour.

I love it ! It’s like the Benny Hills of Leica tips and tricks :D

Interesting video, thanks for sharing! 👍

Clint Schaller ! Nice one Alan … what a great video ! Thanks 🙏

You'd like the Ricoh GR3 "Snap" focusing. It's my street and I shoot Snap and love it.

Thanks Alan and loving the new Metropolis book too!